Farmamerica sponsoring local scarecrow contest

Farmamerica wants to make it perfectly clear no crows are welcome at its upcoming Fall Festival on Oct. 11 or MEA Discovery Day on Oct. 17.  At least, that’s how it seems given that the facility hopes to have dozens of scarecrows decorating its historic loop.

 

“We want people and groups to get excited about the idea and see just how creative they can be,” explains Kari Wadd, program coordinator with the facility. She explains she and communications specialist Morgan Mudgett helped devise the scarecrow contest in response to requests from area community members who have contacted Farmamerica in the past asking how they can make contributions to some of the many events and celebrations held there.

 

The two explain that interested groups–whether they be friends, coworkers, classmates, family or businesses–are asked to sign up in advance online so that a sufficient number of spaces can be prepared. Decorating days are Oct. 8, 9, and 10, with participants asked to reserve a time slot to complete their work.

 

Each participating group will be given a post about 5 feet tall and a space 6 feet square around it where they can create a theme. Aside from the post, all elements are to be supplied by participants. Once up, scarecrows will stay in place through the Oct. 17 MEA Discovery Day event. They will be seen by hundreds of people, given the Fall Festival has historically drawn well over 1,000 visitors.

 

“Businesses will probably want to create something around their products or services,” suggests Wadd. “People might choose a particular holiday or a setting, like a pirate ship or a castle.

 

“Really, the possibilities are endless.”

 

Non-profit organizations can enter the contest for free. Others will pay a $25 entry fee. A $100 prize and a scarecrow trophy will go to the winning display as chosen by a panel of judges. Visitors to the facility will also vote on a “people’s choice” award; that group will receive a trophy.

 

Rules for the contest are posted on the Farmamerica website, as are the judging criteria, which include creativity, design, sturdiness (i.e. resistance to the elements), and “overall impression.”

 

Contestants are asked to keep their entries light-hearted and fun, with no political or vulgar elements.

 

Much more information and online registration forms are available at 

farmamerica.org/scarecrow-contest/.